It's kids' stuff

THE man who brought his common-sense approach to teenagers is back with his guide to parenting.

Clinical psychologist and best-selling author Nigel Latta is helping to reassure Aussie parents it's okay not to be perfect in his new series The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show, currently airing on digital channel GEM.

Based on his book of the same name, the series aims to cut through the overwhelming amount of information bombarding today's parents.

"Oddly enough, the problem is all these people telling people how to raise their children and of course my answer to that is to write more books and make a show about it," Latta said, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

"It's all just got a bit too serious and intense."

Latta advocates going back to basics, where children are allowed to take risks, get hurt and learn from their mistakes. He also believes children need to be able to entertain themselves.

The series features Latta's in-studio rants on everything from why modern playgrounds suck to the things they don't tell you in antenatal classes.

His sense of humour and irreverent approach are sure to rub some viewers the wrong way.

Since he started writing books and giving talks on parenting, Latta has become accustomed to receiving a few angry emails.

"It's part of the territory now," he said.

"If we don't outrage a few people then I'll be a bit disappointed. That means we're not doing our job properly."

Latta believes parents are spending so much time trying to create the perfect life for their children that they are wearing themselves out.

"Parents in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, US, the concerns are all the same," he said.

"It's the fretting, feeling like you're failing your children. You're tired and stressed because you're trying to do everything."

In his native New Zealand, Latta has already presented the TV series based on his latest book, the Politically Incorrect Guide to Grown-Ups, and is working on a new project.

"I'm working on a series about teenage drivers," he said.

"There's some really interesting research about how you can help kids learn how to drive."